For the first time in 2015, pollution was placed at the heart of the program of the World Congress of Dermatology in Vancouver (Canada). More and more scientific studies show that it is an important cause of skin damage. And this will again be a major theme of the next World Congress of Dermatology, which will be held in Milan (Italy) in 2019. Due to automobile traffic and industrial activities, air pollution consists of ozone, dust ( microparticles) and gases (nitrogen oxides) which are deposited day after day on the epidermis. How can you protect your skin in practice? Thanks to “shield” cosmetics and an adapted beauty routine.

What are the effects of pollution on the skin?

By triggering inflammatory reaction processes, it increases the sensitivity of the epidermis. It therefore exacerbates most skin problems.
Sensitive skins, already weakened, see the integrity of their skin barrier altered by the oxidation of lipids due to ozone. The problems of drought,eczema and D’allergy are aggravated.
On oily skin, pollution also modifies the composition of sebum. By oxidizing, it contributes to the formation of blackheads and pimples.

Does it cause premature aging?

Alas, yes: 90% of the visible signs of aging of the skin are caused by environmental aggressions. Pollution leads to the formation of free radicals which damage skin structures. This promotes the degradation of collagen (essential for maintaining toned skin). Result: wrinkles, spots and loss of firmness may appear earlier.

Can the epidermis defend itself on its own?

The body has antioxidants which neutralize free radicals. Some are synthesized by the skin, others are provided by food. But this defense system loses in efficiency over time, especially when free radicals are present in too large a quantity.

How do “shield” cosmetics work?

They are intended to strengthen and protect the epidermal barrier, the main defense vis-à-vis the outside world. Thanks to targeted antioxidants (vitamin E, carnosine, ferulic acid, selenium …), they oppose radical attacks and neutralize the oxidation caused by pollution and other external factors.

What do they contain?

These are new “anti-adhesion” formulas that deposit a film on the epidermis to prevent microparticles from attaching to the skin. These are non-aggressive treatments (without alcohol or irritating active ingredients), so as not to alter the integrity of the skin film, and very moisturizing, based on essential fatty acids or ceramides, to reconstitute the intercellular cement.

Does UV enhance the effects of pollution?

UV rays, especially UVA rays, are estimated to increase the oxidative effects of pollution by a factor of 3.5. This leads to a vicious circle, known as “oxidative stress”: increased damage caused by free radicals and depletion of the body’s anti-free radical defenses, which then becomes more vulnerable.

Is it easy to get rid of the particles?

The skin should be cleansed using a gentle product containing washing agents effective enough to capture pollution particles. Then, the application of a moisturizer, adapted to your skin type, will limit the insensitive loss of water, while restoring the skin barrier. It may contain antioxidants, active ingredients that are also found in serums or spray mists. Finally, between March and October, it is recommended to apply daily sun protection combining anti-UV filters and antioxidants, because the sun accentuates the harmful effects of pollution.

Our selection of anti-pollution products

1. Purifying make-up remover: associated with a brown algae eliminating impurities, including those resulting from pollution, its balm-oil formula (shea and olive) deeply removes make-up while respecting the skin.
Total Renew Balm, Biotherm, 30 € les 125 ml.
2. Moisturizing shield: with thermal water and anti-irritant Neurosensine, it hydrates the epidermis, while its anti-adhesion dosage minimizes the deposition of particles on the surface.
Ultra-fluid day Tolériane, La Roche-Posay, € 17.50 for 40 ml.
3. Protective mist: anti-redness and soothing, this spray protects and nourishes the skin, thanks to the antioxidant Kalpariane, which boosts the natural barriers of cells and to aloe vera, concentrated.
Urban antioxidant shield, Noxidoxi, € 19.90 for 55 ml.

The skin does not like the cold. Assaulted by the fall of mercury, the skin dries up and becomes more vulnerable. The cold alters the hydrolipidic film of the skin, which usually acts as a protective shield against external aggressions (stress, UV, pollution). The skin barrier thus weakened, the skin becomes dehydrated.

Another effect of the cold is that the blood vessels contract and the blood migrates as a priority to vital organs to warm the body. The skin layer is less supplied with water but also sebum(the sebaceous glands slow down), the stratum corneum (skin surface) dries up, may itch and itch in the hands, face, feet or legs.

These winter sores can get worse when you are in overheated rooms

The solution is to fill this lack of hydrationin order to reconstitute the skin barrier (hydrolipidic). Here are the SOS tips to pamper her.

The anti-cold routine for the face

Hydration mission! No excuse in the bathroom: just as the cap is recommended in very cold weather, you should generously “cover” your face with moisturizers. Objective: to fill up with hydration.

1. In the morning, cleanse your face with micellar jelly or makeup remover oil (perfect for dry skin)
2. Switch to serum
3. Then apply your moisturizing day cream.
4. In the evening, think about nourishing your skin with a night care or better, a night mask (which you leave on while you sleep).

L’option cold cream : for faces with very dry skin, la cold creamdoes wonders. Enriched with vegetable oils such as beeswax, it nourishes, soothes and relieves signs of discomfort. The different cold cream formulas are also available for other parts of the body (hands, lips, etc.).

The anti-cold hand routine

Hands can be dry, sensitive and prone to tightness. A moisturizing, nourishing or soothing hand balm will wrap them in a protective film and restore their suppleness and softness. Care based on sweet almond oil, for example, will nourish sensitive skin.

Outside in very cold weather, always cover your hands with gloves.

The anti-cold lip routine

The lips also suffer the full force of the cold if not more than the other parts of the body. They are more fragile because they lack a hydrolipidic film and therefore cannot protect themselves as well as other areas of the skin. As a result, they lose their elasticity and can crack. Treat them with a special protective lip balm for dry lips whose nourishing active ingredients will help the hydrolipidic film to be reconstituted. In case of cracks, bet on a repairing and healing balm based on shea butter for example.

The anti-cold leg routine

In winter, the skin of the legs, already less provided with sebaceous glands than the upper part of the body, naturally lacks lipids. This can give crackle, the famous crocodile skin. It deserves care (cream, milk, vegetable balm, oil) enriched with active ingredients which will nourish it in depth and soften it. Think for example of vegetable oils such as argan, shea butter, evening primrose or mango oil which pamper dry skin.

If you have very sensitive skin, prefer organic treatments that are less aggressive for the skin. In case of desquamation (skin that comes off in places), turn to avocado and organic borage oils.

Cuddly care

For the face

An organic cold cream suitable for dry and very dry skin and enriched with beeswax and vegetable oils to strengthen the hydrolipid barrier.

Cold cream visage, Weleda

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A nourishing cream mask based on medicinal plants such as quince, rose, vegetable oils and vegetable wax to protect the face from external aggressions. Perfect for winter sport and a cocooning treatment in the evening.

Nourishing cream mask, Dr Hauschka

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For hands

A light nourishing cream that absorbs quickly without sticking and is suitable for the roughest hands.

Gentle hand cream, Payot

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For the lips

A repairing barrier balm that relieves, protects and rebuilds the epidermis of chapped, irritated and cracked lips.

Cicaplast lips, La Roche-Posay

For the legs

This balm repairs, nourishes and soothes dry skin for the whole family. It is also used for the body and the face.

TriXera nutrient-fluid balm, Avène